Selaković: Traditionally close ties and friendship between Serbia and Gabon

28. Jul 2022.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, met today in Belgrade with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Gabon, Mickael Moussa Adamo.

While addressing the journalists after the meeting, Selaković noted that today's talks were an opportunity to affirm the traditionally friendly relations awaiting the year 2023, when Serbia and Gabon would mark 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Minister Selaković also expressed the hope that next year we would have the opportunity for Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to host Gabon's President Ali Bong Ondimba in an official state visit.

He stated that bilateral relations between the two countries were based on traditionally close ties and friendship that had been producing serious results for decades, and that they were very interested in continuing the intense political dialogue.

"After the first meeting we had, there is a high level of political understanding between the two of us and determination to intensify our cooperation in many areas, such as agriculture, tourism, modern technologies, construction, health, defence, pharmacy, education, culture and art", Selaković specified.

The head of Serbian diplomacy added that during the meeting, he was convinced of the efforts Gabon was making on economic diversification, and the success it was achieving in that field.

According to him, for example, the results that Gabon shows in the blue and green economy, as well as the promotion of gender equality, are remarkable.

"We also exchanged opinions on the intensification of cooperation on the political level. We talked about the political situation, issues that are of great importance to us, and we agreed to continue to cooperate. Serbia and Gabon share very close views on the necessity of respecting international law and preserving equality, peace and stability in the world," Selaković said.

Minister Selaković expressed Serbia's determination to continue the political dialogue and improve the overall cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Minister Moussa Adamo expressed his great satisfaction over his visit to Belgrade, conveying the greetings of President Ali Bong Ondimba and all Gabonese people, who remembered the successful cooperation from the time of the former Yugoslavia, as well as the cooperation with companies from Serbia that worked in Gabon.

Thanking for the unique hospitality, Minister Moussa Adamo stated that Serbia had always been a friendly country and that Gabon had special historical ties with Serbia.

As he said, many Gabonese had studied in Belgrade and had been able to take advantage of it.

"Gabon is working today on diversification of the economy since oil does more harm than good to the country, so we are trying to diversify it by creating added value, and all partners who can help us are welcome to make Gabon an example of success," said the head of Gabonese diplomacy.

The ministers also signed a series of documents today: the Protocol on the Continuation of Validity of Bilateral Agreements Concluded with the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Gabon, Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Gabon on the Abolition of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports, Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Gabon in the Fields of Science, Technology, Education and Culture and Memorandum on Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture.